Ex Arsenal star on how Liverpool can beat 'disrespectful' Chelsea 4-0

Former Arsenal midfielder believes the Reds can dish out a case of the blues for visiting Chelsea if the starting XI is not right.

"This is a hard game to predict until you see the team sheets," commented former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson in his weekly prediction column for Sky Sports.

Following Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal and their outside shot of the Premier League title, it appears Jose Mourinho may well prioritise European competition over a domestic assault.

However, should he - as he suggested earlier in the week - field a weakened team against Liverpool on Sunday, April 25, then Chelsea could be in for a humbling defeat, says Merson, who believes a 4-0 win for the Anfield side would not be out of reach.

"I think Jose Mourinho will go through with his pledge to play a weakened team because the league is not in his hands," Merson stated. "Even if they win at Anfield they will still need favours from elsewhere to win the title - but if they beat Atletico Madrid on Wednesday then they are in the Champions League Final and so that's his priority."

If such a scenario were to occur then Merson warns Mourinho may be in store for criticism: "I still don't think it's right because the wages are paid for by all the Premier League TV money, not the Champions League and I think it's disrespectful to put out a weakened team."

Mourinho has an exceptional record against Liverpool, though, winning six, drawing one and losing one from his last eight encounters in the league, but Brendan Rodgers' side may be due a rare triumph this weekend: "You have to say everything is going right for Liverpool. Even on Tuesday night, when they weren't even involved, you saw Petr Cech and John Terry get injured.

"They are taking advantage of that fortune, which is what you've got to do and it wouldn't surprise me if they won this easily. Chelsea can easily go there and get a result and will always be in the game if they put a proper team out, so until I see the team selection I will go for a draw. I'm not convinced Chelsea's team will be that weak and a draw would be ample good enough for Liverpool - but if Mourinho does rest his whole team then it could be 4-0."